happilyruined's review
3.0
I credit Christopher Pike with beginning my love of gory novels. Admittedly, "Bury Me Deep" likely isn't as gory as I remember it being when I was twelve. But nonetheless, I like to think that my adoration of "The Blood Keeper"'s particularly gruesome passages has to do with Pike.
Gore is what Tessa Gratton does best. She treats bloody eyes and gouged flesh with the same tenderness that some writers devote to kissing scenes. All of this was on full display in her debut, "Blood Magic", and its companion novel doesn't let up. (That said, nothing will ever duplicate the near gag-factor of "Blood Magic"'s memorable reanimation scene.)
"The Blood Keeper" ditches "Blood Magic"'s likable heroes Silla and Nick, and I've got to say that this may have been a mistake. Mab in particular never really grabs me like Silla did. She's distant, and I get that--as a figure in a fully-embraced magical world, she shouldn't be a normal girl. Yet I feel that she was almost too distant, too cool for the reader to connect with. That said, her counterpart, Will, is plenty likable for the both of them. Gratton does an excellent job of portraying a military family in conflict. It's a good spoonful of reality coloring an urban fantasy novel that I have to tip my hat to.
Will was so interesting on his own that I wish we'd seen more of him. However, the novel's third perspective--a throwback POV, much like Josephine's was in "Blood Magic"--is so deliciously creepy that I found myself looking forward to those little snippets when following the present-day storyline.
Of course, as with most YA urban fantasy, there's a romance. But it's much less of A Thing than Nick and Silla's; and I don't know if that was an intentional choice on Gratton's part, or a lack of attention paid to Mab and Nick's relationship. Either way, it leads to the otherwise likable novel's main problem: even once the book was over, I felt as if it was leading up to something that really never happened. There was no tension, no big event. I wanted to feel more dread, a greater sense of urgency. It never happened.
While "The Blood Keeper" is certainly good and worth picking up, I can't say that it's a must-read. Definitely give it a shot if you enjoyed its predecessor. Otherwise, it's good for a rainy day.
Gore is what Tessa Gratton does best. She treats bloody eyes and gouged flesh with the same tenderness that some writers devote to kissing scenes. All of this was on full display in her debut, "Blood Magic", and its companion novel doesn't let up. (That said, nothing will ever duplicate the near gag-factor of "Blood Magic"'s memorable reanimation scene.)
"The Blood Keeper" ditches "Blood Magic"'s likable heroes Silla and Nick, and I've got to say that this may have been a mistake. Mab in particular never really grabs me like Silla did. She's distant, and I get that--as a figure in a fully-embraced magical world, she shouldn't be a normal girl. Yet I feel that she was almost too distant, too cool for the reader to connect with. That said, her counterpart, Will, is plenty likable for the both of them. Gratton does an excellent job of portraying a military family in conflict. It's a good spoonful of reality coloring an urban fantasy novel that I have to tip my hat to.
Will was so interesting on his own that I wish we'd seen more of him. However, the novel's third perspective--a throwback POV, much like Josephine's was in "Blood Magic"--is so deliciously creepy that I found myself looking forward to those little snippets when following the present-day storyline.
Of course, as with most YA urban fantasy, there's a romance. But it's much less of A Thing than Nick and Silla's; and I don't know if that was an intentional choice on Gratton's part, or a lack of attention paid to Mab and Nick's relationship. Either way, it leads to the otherwise likable novel's main problem: even once the book was over, I felt as if it was leading up to something that really never happened. There was no tension, no big event. I wanted to feel more dread, a greater sense of urgency. It never happened.
While "The Blood Keeper" is certainly good and worth picking up, I can't say that it's a must-read. Definitely give it a shot if you enjoyed its predecessor. Otherwise, it's good for a rainy day.
katheryn13's review
3.0
I was really looking forward to this, the sequel to Blood Magic. Different main characters, but over all connected to the first.
But I have to honest, I struggled through the first 150-200pages. It wasn't that it was boring, as such. It was just extremely slow, and the heavy descriptions made it hard for me to get sucked into the world.
After this period, it started to get going; the romance escalated and the story line became apparent. Because before that, I'd started to wonder when anything was going to happen.
Mab did annoy me for the first half. She seemed pretentious, set in her ways, and just generally...a pain. I liked Will because he was...so normal, but not in a cliche way. He had more layers to his personality that made it refreshing to read. It was fun to have mentions of Silla and Nick as they were main characters in Blood Magic.
The basic premise of this story could have been so much better, in my opinion. There was a lot of emphasis on the scenery and the trees, and fields... it just seemed a bit .... over the top?
I get that was how Mab was, and that was her world, but writing wise it could have been toned down.
When I hit the late 200's pages, things sped up and I could see a plot working its way in. It was interesting reading the letters from Mab's grandmother, although to be honest, the connection between the family members confused me. I wasn't sure who Mab's mother was at first, and only half way through did it click. It didn't help that I lost concentration some parts into it.
There were a couple of big twists that I have to admit, I didn't see coming. Not like that, anyway. I knew something might happen but...yeah.
I really enjoyed the second half, despite how slow I got through it. The reason I give this book 3 stars is because of how slow I found it until then. The writing was beautiful, though, even if it was slightly heavy to understand. Not shakespeare heavy, just more than I'm used to.
Over all it had a lovely ending and there's plenty of nail biting moments towards the final scenes.
But I have to honest, I struggled through the first 150-200pages. It wasn't that it was boring, as such. It was just extremely slow, and the heavy descriptions made it hard for me to get sucked into the world.
After this period, it started to get going; the romance escalated and the story line became apparent. Because before that, I'd started to wonder when anything was going to happen.
Mab did annoy me for the first half. She seemed pretentious, set in her ways, and just generally...a pain. I liked Will because he was...so normal, but not in a cliche way. He had more layers to his personality that made it refreshing to read. It was fun to have mentions of Silla and Nick as they were main characters in Blood Magic.
The basic premise of this story could have been so much better, in my opinion. There was a lot of emphasis on the scenery and the trees, and fields... it just seemed a bit .... over the top?
I get that was how Mab was, and that was her world, but writing wise it could have been toned down.
When I hit the late 200's pages, things sped up and I could see a plot working its way in. It was interesting reading the letters from Mab's grandmother, although to be honest, the connection between the family members confused me. I wasn't sure who Mab's mother was at first, and only half way through did it click. It didn't help that I lost concentration some parts into it.
There were a couple of big twists that I have to admit, I didn't see coming. Not like that, anyway. I knew something might happen but...yeah.
I really enjoyed the second half, despite how slow I got through it. The reason I give this book 3 stars is because of how slow I found it until then. The writing was beautiful, though, even if it was slightly heavy to understand. Not shakespeare heavy, just more than I'm used to.
Over all it had a lovely ending and there's plenty of nail biting moments towards the final scenes.
loveleareads's review
3.0
I really enjoyed Blood Magic, and was excited to read its companion novel. Although I didn't enjoy this one as much, I still found myself attached to this world and its quirky characters.
I've really grown to enjoy this world. It's filled with magic, but not the kind that I'm used to. Although the idea of witches isn't new (they aren't called this in the book, but it's pretty much what they are), Tessa Gratton is able to bring something hauntingly new and mysterious with this world.
We are introduced to two new characters in this book. There's Will who is looking to follow a different path than his father and brothers have; then there's Mab, who has embraced her magic and abilities, unlike some of the others around her. I can't describe her as anything but quirky. Even though I missed the perspectives of the characters in the last book, they still made an appearance and I was able to enjoy getting to know these two characters.
For whatever reason, I didn't find myself as addicted to this book like I was the last. I still liked the world and characters, but I just found this book to be--excuse the pun--lacking the magical quality Blood Magic had.
Overall, I'm looking forward to more of Gratton's work. I've really grown to enjoy this world that she has created.
I've really grown to enjoy this world. It's filled with magic, but not the kind that I'm used to. Although the idea of witches isn't new (they aren't called this in the book, but it's pretty much what they are), Tessa Gratton is able to bring something hauntingly new and mysterious with this world.
We are introduced to two new characters in this book. There's Will who is looking to follow a different path than his father and brothers have; then there's Mab, who has embraced her magic and abilities, unlike some of the others around her. I can't describe her as anything but quirky. Even though I missed the perspectives of the characters in the last book, they still made an appearance and I was able to enjoy getting to know these two characters.
For whatever reason, I didn't find myself as addicted to this book like I was the last. I still liked the world and characters, but I just found this book to be--excuse the pun--lacking the magical quality Blood Magic had.
Overall, I'm looking forward to more of Gratton's work. I've really grown to enjoy this world that she has created.
misswinchester84's review
4.0
Thought I didn't read Blood Magic this book seems like a companion rather part of a series this novel can stand on all of it's own. I had a hard time starting the book bit im glad i stuck to it. Mosley because i liked Evelyn's story.
singsthewren's review
5.0
This sequel to Blood Magic follows Mab, the new Deacon. I really liked that it was related characters but a whole new story, and the plot grabbed me and wouldn't let go.
Will was an incredibly well written teenager. He felt very real in a way that made me realize how unrealistic most male characters are in YA! Mab was enchanting without being too much of a Mary Sue, and I liked the way their story developed.
Great fun, great pace, great book!
Will was an incredibly well written teenager. He felt very real in a way that made me realize how unrealistic most male characters are in YA! Mab was enchanting without being too much of a Mary Sue, and I liked the way their story developed.
Great fun, great pace, great book!
ravenousbookeater's review
5.0
I absolutely love the blood journal companion series. They are amazing and the romance in these stories are so good.
georgialass's review
4.0
Truly Fantastic. It's been more than a year since i read the other series by Gratton, The United States of Asgard. I didn't remember that she could write so well. Few little aauthors i've read can write as effortly she writes from different POV's, male and female, with such depth. Her writng is compelling and beautiful. And the story is original and raw. More people should check out her work, you won't be dissapointed.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
I liked the way this book was written, there was an ease to it and the POV changes worked great. It was also so easy to follow.
The book has 3 POVS. First Mab who is a blood witch and lives on a farm, working with curses and blood. Not your ordinary teen. Then there is Will, a local boy she meets and who ends up involved with it all. And yes romance interest too. Lastly, there is Evelyn who came to the farm long ago. Her POV is not around much as it is in the past, but it's important to the plot. Why I did not know before way into the book. It was a nice little mystery. The one thing I did not like with her POV was that it was in italics, ugh, not fun to read. Luckily she gets a page here and there. And when the shift occurs you get to read the name of the POV. Always good.
I do not want to spoil the whole plot but Will and Mab meet. She is the new leader for her kind. She is a free spirit, connected to nature and I liked her. Will was a good guy too.
There is some suspense as things are going on. A bit of a mystery and chilling spells. Magic is not always kind.
The book has 3 POVS. First Mab who is a blood witch and lives on a farm, working with curses and blood. Not your ordinary teen. Then there is Will, a local boy she meets and who ends up involved with it all. And yes romance interest too. Lastly, there is Evelyn who came to the farm long ago. Her POV is not around much as it is in the past, but it's important to the plot. Why I did not know before way into the book. It was a nice little mystery. The one thing I did not like with her POV was that it was in italics, ugh, not fun to read. Luckily she gets a page here and there. And when the shift occurs you get to read the name of the POV. Always good.
I do not want to spoil the whole plot but Will and Mab meet. She is the new leader for her kind. She is a free spirit, connected to nature and I liked her. Will was a good guy too.
There is some suspense as things are going on. A bit of a mystery and chilling spells. Magic is not always kind.
hacedores's review
4.0
Recuerdo cuando leí el primero de esta saga. Me pareció muy original. Tanto por el sistema de magia como por la forma de narrarlo, por medio de un diario unido a dos puntos de vista distintos. Volvemos a encontrarnos con el mismo sistema de narración, pero con unos personajes distintos. Por un lado está Mab, la hija de Josephine, del anterior libro, y por el otro está Will, un chico normal cuya vida familiar está recuperándose de una tragedia. Esa va a ser la pareja que dé sangre a este libro, mientras que por otro lado vamos a tener muy poquitas sorpresas si lo comparamos con lo que pasó en el anterior libro. Personalmente, me parece una lástima, porque el anterior me sorprendió de una manera bastante grata, sin ser un gran libro. Este cae en los mismos errores que su predecesor y, aunque arregla algunos de los problemas que tuvo, pierde una de las bazas que tenía Blood Magic. Con esto no quiero decir que sea un mal libro, simplemente que el "elemento sorpresa" no lo tiene.
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singinglight's review
5.0
I read Blood Magic, Gratton's first book, when it came out and it was okay. I wasn't amazed by it, but I didn't dislike it either. But I'd been hearing good things about Blood Keeper in the blogosphere and decided to take a chance. I'm so glad I did. Gratton completely blows the first book out of the water. Blood Keeper is a beautifully written story from first to last, with compelling characters. I loved Mab, who is proud and responsible and makes mistakes. To me, she read as entirely human and therefore sympathetic--the mistakes she made weren't out of malice and only made me want to hug her (more discussion here). Also, Will! Will is awesome! I loved and totally bought the romance.
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